Report: U.S. Warns of Cooperation between Army, Hizbullah in Battle against Terror
Washington has reportedly warned the Lebanese army against cooperating with Hizbullah in its war against terrorism and takfiris, hinting that any cooperation could impact the U.S. aid to the military.
According to a report published in al-Akhbar newspaper on Tuesday, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Middle East Policy Matthew Spence, who visited Beirut last week, warned in his meetings with Lebanese officials, in particular with Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji, of cooperating with Hizbullah as an partner in the war against terror.
A prominent source told the daily that the U.S. official stressed that Hizbullah is impeding the state project, which should be protected solely by the Lebanese army.
Spence also hinted that the army's success in battling jihadists, who overran the northeastern border town of Arsal in August, was due to the support that the U.S. granted.
Washington sought to bolster Lebanon's military by recently announcing it had delivered a new shipment of Hellfire missiles and would also supply light aircraft.
The prominent U.S. official reportedly described the performance of the Lebanese army as excellent and wise amid the sectarian tension in the country, noting that the war on terrorism created a new aspect that would allow the state to expand its authority on Lebanese territories at the expense of Hizbullah, indicating that the party cannot run the battle by itself.
The source quoted Spence as saying: The army has capabilities that Hizbullah lack, at forefront the U.S. support, which the Iranians and Russians cannot provide the party with.
The U.S. official also stressed that his country refuses to allow the war raging in Syria to move to Lebanon.
The report comes as the army and security forces had been carrying out in recent months raids in various regions throughout Lebanon in search for wanted fugitives and suspected terrorists.
Lebanese troops have been battling Syria-based Islamist militants, including the extremist Islamic State group and the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front, in areas near the border.
H.K.
M.T.
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